PA
Thu May 15 09:21:48 PDT 2008
The default Main Identity is especially subject to such corruption. The
fact that this occurred in only one of them is sheer luck IMHO. For
reliability, I'd recommend replacing the Main Identity with a new Named
Identity.
Create a new Named Identity (File | Identities | Add new identity) and
configure your mail & news accounts in it. Assuming all is well, (1)
compact all folders in the old identity (i.e., Main Identity), (2) import
messages from the old identity into the new one, and then (3) delete the old
one (File | Identities | Manage Identities).
To avoid such corruption in future:
- Don't use Inbox or Sent Items to archive messages. Move them to local
folders created for this purpose.
- Empty Deleted Items folder daily.
- Disable Background Compacting [removed in WinXP SP2] and frequently
perform a manual compact of all OE folders while "working offline". More at
http://www.insideoe.com/files/maintain.htm
- WinXP SP2 only: Do not cancel Automatic Compacting, should it occur, and
do not attempt to close OE via Task Manager or shutdown your machine if
Automatic Compacting is taking place.
- Disable email scanning by your anti-virus application. It can cause
corruption (i.e., loss of messages), it provides no additional protection,
and even Symantec says it's not necessary:
<QP>
Disabling Email Scanning does not leave you unprotected against viruses that
are distributed as email attachments. Norton AntiVirus Auto-Protect scans
incoming files as they are saved to your hard drive, including email and
email attachments. Email Scanning is just another layer on top of this. To
make sure that Auto-Protect is providing the maximum protection, keep
Auto-Protect enabled and run LiveUpdate regularly to ensure that you have
the most recent virus definitions.
</QP>
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nav.nsf/docid/2002111812533106
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin
http://aumha.net
DTS-L
http://dts-l.net/
Michael T. wrote:
> My Outlook Express Identity is named "Main Identity" on both my desktop
> and
> my laptop.
>
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:OO$vA8ltIHA.1328@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> Is the identity on the first machine named Main Identity but not on the
>> second machine (File | Identities | Manage identities)?
>>
>> Michael T. wrote:
>>> Thank you for the links. As a retired software developer I totally agree
>>> that it is 'usually' a good idea to disable your antivirus program
>>> before
>>> installing (or upgrading) new software. I used to be somewhat of an
>>> InstallShield expert.
>>>
>>> However here's the latest.
>>>
>>> Before I had a chance to read your post, I did a test. Namely, with the
>>> same
>>> anti-virus and firewall active (or running) I did the same SP3 install
>>> on
>>> a
>>> second computer (my laptop).
>>>
>>> What I discovered is that I was able to access both e-mail servers just
>>> fine.
>>>
>>> So either COX Communications fixed a problem with their server in that
>>> last
>>> 24 hours or something went wrong with the steps I used to upgrade to SP3
>>> which may have been my fault.
>>>
>>> Oh well, at least both my desktop and laptop seem to be receiving and
>>> sending e-mail with Outlook Express error free.
>>>
>>> Michael
>>>
>>>
>>> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:eyC0X5gtIHA.4772@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>>>> The fact that these Norton applications were running when SP3 was
>>>> installed /may/ be related to this behavior.
>>>>
>>>> WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
>>>>
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron/archive/2008/05/08/windows-xp-sp3-read-all-prerequisites-for-a-successful-installation.aspx
>>>>
>>>> Steps to take before you install WinXP SP3
>>>>
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717
>>>> --
>>>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
>>>> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
>>>> AumHa VSOP & Admin
http://aumha.net
>>>> DTS-L
http://dts-l.net/
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Michael T. wrote:
>>>>> The following were active when SP3 was installed.
>>>>>
>>>>> Anti-virus
>>>>> -------------
>>>>> AT&T customers have free access to install what is called "Norton
>>>>> Security
>>>>> Online". Having previously used NIS 2007, it appears to be the exact
>>>>> same
>>>>> application in look and feel - rebranded . So I would caution against
>>>>> assuming it might be this 'special' version of NIS for AT&T customers.
>>>>> I
>>>>> suppose there is a chance this could be the problem (or cause). But I
>>>>> would
>>>>> be anxious to hear if anyone else sees this issue and what their
>>>>> answers
>>>>> are
>>>>> to your questions.
>>>>> Note: My NIS is configured to scan incoming/outgoing mail?
>>>>>
>>>>> 3rd Party Firewall
>>>>> ------------------------
>>>>> Same as above. Namely, Norton Security Online, ver. 10.2.0.30 for ATT
>>>>> Yahoo!
>>>>>
>>>>> Anti-spyware
>>>>> ------------------
>>>>> ONLY Windows Defender
>>>>>
>>>>> Comment
>>>>> --------------
>>>>> What is intriguing is why I only had to reenter my username and
>>>>> password
>>>>> for
>>>>> the POP server "pop.west.cox.net" - and NOT for POP server
>>>>> "pop.att.yahoo.com".
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>>>> news:e9DltmftIHA.1220@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>>>>>> [Crosspost to OE General]
>>>>>>
>>>>>> First I've heard of this.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed? What
>>>>>> anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? What third-party
>>>>>> firewall (if any)? Were any of them running when you installed SP3?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Is your anti-virus application configured to scan incoming/outgoing
>>>>>> mail?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> OE-specific newsgroup:
>>>>>> news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.outlookexpress.general
>>>>>> ==
>>>>>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
>>>>>> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002